Scholarships, Now Open!
Interested in funding your research in Okinawan Studies topics? Interested in studying abroad? Apply for our scholarships now!
Apply Here
Okinawan Studies Resources
Interested in reading primary and secondary sources about Okinawa or the Ryukyu Kingdom? Check out the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection, right here at the Hamilton Library.
Get Involved
Want all the latest news at the Center for Okinawan Studies? Join our mailing list here!
Sign Up NowMensooree, Welcome
Welcome to the Center for Okinawan Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Nestled on our vibrant Mānoa campus, the Center serves as a hub for academic inquiry into the Ryukyuan archipelago, Okinawa, and the Okinawan diaspora. Since its founding in 2008, our mission has been to foster a deeper understanding of Okinawa’s history, language, culture, and contemporary society through credit and non-credit courses, public lectures, workshops, research support, and community engagement. We draw on the interdisciplinary strengths of faculty from across the UH system: social sciences, the arts, dance, history, and more!
Uniquely, the UH Mānoa Center for Okinawan Studies is the only academic center of its kind outside of Japan, making it a rare and vital institution in global Ryukyuan scholarship. Our longstanding partnerships with Okinawan universities, including the University of the Ryukyus, and our growing collaborations with other institutions, support student exchanges, joint research projects, and cultural programming. Whether you are a student, scholar, or community member, we invite you to explore Okinawa’s rich heritage and its resonance here in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
School of Pacific and Asian Studies
1890 East West Road, Moore #316
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone 1 (808) 956-5754
Fax 1 (808) 956-6345
E-mail [email protected]
What Do We Do?
The Center for Okinawan Studies seeks to connect students, researchers, and the community through a shared interest in Okinawan Studies. The Center for Okinawan Studies is unique, in that it is the only center of its kind outside of Okinawa.
Academics
The Center for Okinawan Studies supports faculty across diverse departments interested in teaching Okinawan topics. Classes such as Okinawan Ensemble, Okinawan Language, and Okinawan History are offered routinely to all students.
Activities
The Center for Okinawan Studies supports and hosts various activities during the academic year. In the past, we have worked with OkiFest, Nippon Culture Day, the EALL Talk Series, and Guest Lecturers. This year, please look out for our first Film Festival!
Research
The Center for Okinawan Studies supports the research of both students and faculty by providing funding, lecture opportunities, and meaningful networking.
